Iran warns U.S. troops would be 'set on fire' if ground operation launched

Iran's parliament speaker warned that U.S. ground troops would be "set on fire" if a ground operation occurs, and the Revolutionary Guard said it would target American and Israeli university branches unless the U.S. issued a condemnation by 12:00 Monday, March 30.

Iranian officials issued stark warnings on Sunday linked to the wider regional conflict. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's parliament, used forceful language about U.S. ground troops, according to Iranian state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would treat certain American and Israeli university branches in the region as legitimate targets unless Washington publicly condemned recent strikes on Iranian universities. Some universities in the region have shifted to remote instruction and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad posted a warning about potential targeting of American-affiliated campuses. Key reported developments: - Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if U.S. forces launch a ground operation, Iranian forces would "set them on fire," according to Iranian official media. - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared branches of Israeli and American educational facilities in the region "legitimate targets" and set a deadline for a U.S. condemnation by 12:00 Monday, March 30, in its statement. - The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warned that Iran and allied militias may intend to target American universities in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk, among other campuses perceived as associated with the United States. - The American University of Beirut announced it would operate remotely for two days, citing an abundance of caution. Summary: Officials' statements described potential attacks on U.S. ground forces and on American and Israeli university branches, and some institutions have moved classes online. The IRGC set a specific deadline of 12:00 Monday, March 30 for a U.S. condemnation as stated in its message. Undetermined at this time.